Technology

Ukrainian influencers bring the frontlines to TikTok

Published

3 years ago

March 16, 2022

Ukrainian influencers bring the frontlines to TikTok

Weeks in the past, Ukraine-based influencer Kristina Korban’s TikTok was a gradual stream of gymnasium motivation and private finance ideas punctuated by trending audio. In daring title textual content, she instructed her followers to “STAY CONSISTENT” and “DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!” Other than one lighthearted reference to the escalating state of affairs with Russia, Korban’s web page stayed on message: “YOU CAN BE AN INVESTOR.”

Then, on February twenty third, the facade of normalcy fell aside. In a video that’s been considered greater than 9 million occasions, the Kyiv-based influencer recorded herself from mattress, describing explosions within the distance that rattled her dwelling. “This is likely to be the start of one thing critical,” she says.

For weeks, TikTok customers have watched Russian troops and navy autos on the transfer via bite-sized clips typically missing context or verification. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion, TikTok feeds had been plagued by bogus dwell streams with siren and gunshot audio dubbed over. The White Home has tried to intervene too, even internet hosting a background briefing with common TikTokkers throughout which officers answered questions and shared White Home speaking factors, in line with audio obtained by the Washington Submit.

Now, together with misinformation researchers and battle correspondents, influencers with Ukrainian ties have gotten a go-to supply for battle updates. The sudden shift from journey running a blog, crypto recommendation, and anime cosplay to frontline dispatch is jarring to look at. However the dynamics between influencer, followers, and content material circulate are as acquainted as ever.

Since her first replace submit, Kristina Korban’s TikTok has remodeled right into a firsthand view of the nation’s capital throughout wartime, sandwiched on the For You web page between make-up tutorials and superstar fancam clips. She posts and goes dwell day by day to her greater than half one million TikTok followers, updating viewers on every little thing from her household’s meals stock and grocery retailer traces to air raid sirens within the metropolis.

“I imagine there may be loads of chaos when individuals obtain mistaken info, so I do my finest to be as trustworthy and factual as I can with the information that I possess and study as we undergo this day-to-day,” Korban tells The Verge, speaking over WhatsApp. “I intention to offer at the least somewhat little bit of readability for people who belief in me. I really feel it’s my obligation.”

Korban’s movies concerning the battle have grow to be a go-to supply for individuals exterior of Ukraine who didn’t know a lot — if something — concerning the nation till a couple of weeks in the past. Each hour of the day, somebody is asking Korban if she and her household are secure.

This week, followers feared the worst when Korban didn’t submit any TikTok updates for over a day. Actually, @moneykristina had been blocked from posting new TikToks after a number of movies had been discovered to be in violation of neighborhood tips. (Ever the skilled, Korban had already arrange a backup account to make use of if she bought banned, the place she continued to submit updates).

In a single video shared with The Verge, Korban is filming at midnight, visibly scared and crying, as explosions echo within the distance; Korban says the clip was eliminated for “graphic content material.” In one other video, Korban jokingly celebrates Worldwide Girls’s Day: what Ukrainian ladies actually need is tanks, bullets, and fighter jets. Korban says TikTok eliminated the video with out a proof. (In line with TikTok spokesperson Jamie Favazza, @moneykristina’s skill to submit new movies is again as of Monday, and three movies that had been incorrectly eliminated by a moderator have since been restored.)

One in every of Korban’s greater than 600,000 TikTok followers is Katie Callaway, a stay-at-home mother in Massachusetts. She didn’t know a lot about Ukraine earlier than the battle started — a cultural blindspot she now deeply regrets. However since following Korban initially of the invasion, Callaway says her eyes have been opened.

“It’s stunning,” she says of Ukraine. “I had no thought, and that basically saddens me that I didn’t even know something concerning the nation earlier than. Now all of this insane craziness is occurring.”

Although Callaway has solely adopted Korban for a couple of weeks, she speaks of her like she’s recognized her for years. They’re each moms, for one, and Callaway thinks of the unfathomable energy that should be required to remain regular to your baby in occasions of stress. She finds Korban to be clever, endearing, and actual, and he or she worries and prays for her such as you would possibly a good friend — in different phrases, one thing very near a conventional influencer-follower relationship.

“It’s simply so nerve-racking,” Callaway says, combating again tears. “I really feel a lot for her and this nation and the individuals, and it’s simply so heartbreaking, and I hate what’s occurring.”

Korban’s years of expertise creating content material for social media platforms has, in a morbid manner, served her nicely on this inadvertent function as an unconventional battle correspondent. Her movies are shot selfie-style, mimicking the intimacy of a one-to-one video name, and infrequently present her environment — as if Korban is there to speak simply to you. She recurrently goes on TikTok Stay with relations, answering questions, cracking jokes, and hanging out with viewers. Even when discussing curfews and going into hiding, she makes use of common audio clips, hashtags, and filters that may make it simpler for individuals to seek out her content material. She’s made merch, too: Korban has bought practically 2,000 pro-Ukraine T-shirts and hoodies that followers can sport to point out whose aspect they’re on. (They are saying “fuck off” in Ukrainian, a reference to signs and phrases of defiance by Ukrainian troopers.) Korban says income will profit Ukrainians affected by the battle.

Technology

Tesla brings its redesigned Model Y to the US, but keeps selling the old one too

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Press Room

Tesla brings its redesigned Model Y to the US, but keeps selling the old one too

Just a couple weeks after launching the refreshed “Juniper” Model Y in China and other Asia-Pacific markets, Tesla has started taking orders in the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, and Chile) and Europe. The Launch Series is the only trim level currently available to order in the US, offering a “fully loaded” setup with special badging, the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) driver assist, and Acceleration Boost for $59,990 before discounts and estimated savings.

The refreshed version of Tesla’s top-selling vehicle brings a new design for the front and rear lights, an updated interior with an 8-inch touchscreen for the backseat, acoustic glass treatment, a new sound system with more speakers, and a retuned suspension. There’s no mention of it, but in a few of the pictures (included in our gallery below), it looks like there’s also a turn signal stalk poking out to the left of the steering wheel instead of dropping it for on-wheel buttons like other recent Teslas.

It also has the same new front-facing camera that Tesla says adds “Enhanced visibility for Autopilot and Actually Smart Summon capabilities.”

Just like the previously announced markets, it is scheduled to start deliveries in March. It’s all similar to last year’s Model 3 update, promising better efficiency and performance, with added power-folding rear seats and a hands-free trunk that auto unlocks on approach.

An estimated price listing for a New Model Y (left) and current Model Y (right) from Tesla’s website with similar specs.

Screenshot: Tesla.com

One difference between this and most Tesla launches we’ve seen is that the older version is still available to order, with the website inviting buyers to take advantage of reduced pricing while it’s still available. From the configurations available online, the price difference between similarly-specced Long Range dual-motor AWD Model Ys new and old was only about $4,000.

The current edition is, of course, available right away, and with choices for additional options, like the performance package., additional colors, or a seven-seat configuration. The New Model Y advertises a 320-mile range with no EPA stamp compared to the old version’s 311 EPA estimate (until last year, the advertised range was 330 miles before Tesla suddenly lowered it) for a similar model. The advertised 0-60 mph time is also improved, at 4.1 seconds instead of 4.8, but the top speed allowed has dropped from 135 mph to 125, which probably won’t be much of an issue in a family hauler.

Technology

Netflix’s cloud plans include co-op and party games

Published

10 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Press Room

Netflix’s cloud plans include co-op and party games

Netflix plans to offer couch co-op and party games that it will stream over the cloud to TVs, co-CEO Greg Peters said as part of the company’s Q4 2024 earnings announcements this week. The company has offered cloud gaming as a beta to a “subset” of subscribers since 2023, so this news from Peters indicates that the company is going to continue to invest in it.

Peters didn’t say exactly when the co-op and party games might be available. But he did say that “we think of this as a successor to family board game night or an evolution of what the game show on TV used to be.”

Netflix will also continue to focus on “more narrative games based on Netflix IP” — Peters says those games are “consistent fan favorites and we’ve got a lot in the library to work with there.”

Technology

This flying motorcycle can take you from traffic to sky in minutes

Published

10 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Press Room

This flying motorcycle can take you from traffic to sky in minutes

The unveiling of the Skyrider X1, which claims to be the “world’s first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle,” has certainly stirred up excitement.

This innovative vehicle promises to change how we think about personal mobility by combining land and air travel in one sleek design.

A major advancement in transportation

Developed by Rictor, a sub-brand of the Chinese company Kuickwheel, the Skyrider X1 marks a big progression from Rictor’s previous product, the K1 e-bike. Transitioning from an electric bicycle to a flying motorcycle is no small feat, and it shows Rictor’s ambition to push the boundaries of eco-friendly and energy-efficient transportation.

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Innovative features

The Skyrider X1 features amphibious functionality, allowing it to operate on both land and water, although some skeptics are curious about how well it will perform in real-world conditions. This vehicle can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) and offers flight times of around 25 minutes for the base model with a 10.5-kWh battery. The premium version, equipped with a 21-kWh battery, boasts up to 40 minutes of flight time.

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Made from lightweight carbon fiber composites and aviation-grade aluminum, the Skyrider X1 balances durability with flight capability. It also incorporates smart technology that includes automatic route planning to determine optimal flight paths based on your destination and real-time adaptability that adjusts altitude, speed and direction according to weather conditions.

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Safety as a priority

Safety is a top priority for Rictor in the design of the Skyrider X1. The vehicle includes triple-redundant flight control systems that ensure safe operation even if an engine fails. Additionally, it features an integrated emergency parachute for added peace of mind.

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Pricing and accessibility

With an expected price tag of around $60,000, the Skyrider X1 aims to make personal air travel more accessible compared to other eVTOL options. By blending performance with affordability, Rictor hopes to bring flying within reach for more people.

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A look into the future

As cities grow and traffic congestion worsens, innovative solutions like the Skyrider X1 could become essential. This vehicle not only aims to ease urban travel but also promotes sustainable options in personal transportation. With advancements in battery technology and autonomous systems, eVTOL vehicles may soon transform how we navigate our environments.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The Skyrider X1 is a glimpse into a future where flying could actually be part of our everyday lives. Imagine zipping through the skies instead of sitting in traffic. It sounds pretty cool, right? However, there are still some big questions to tackle about how this will all work in practice. We need to think about safety and whether it can really handle the demands of real-world travel. So, while the idea of flying motorcycles is exciting, we’ll have to wait and see how they fit into real-world scenarios.

So, what do you think? Would you be ready to hop on a flying motorcycle like the Skyrider X1? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.